Equestrian: Olympic hopes ride on performances at Blenheim

By HELEN TUNNAH

New Zealand's only hope of sending an eventing team to next year's Olympic Games rests on a qualifying contest in England in September.

However, equestrian officials have dismissed worries that the uncertain nature of the sport means relying on results from one three-day event for Olympic qualification is risky.

If New Zealand fail to post a team score at the Blenheim horse trials there will be no second chance.

Chef d'equip Chris Hodson said he was not even considering the possibility that New Zealand would not be able to send a team to Greece.



The eventers have been one of New Zealand's top-performing sports at Olympic level in the past two decades, winning eight medals, including three individual gold titles.

However, their disappointing fifth at last year's world championships in Spain mean they missed one of the four automatic qualifying places for Athens.

They also failed to post a team result at the Sydney Olympics when two horses were forced out lame.

New Zealand equestrian officials have now had to negotiate with the International Equestrian Federation to set up qualifying at a specified event in Europe, because there are no suitable team competitions in the Asia Pacific region.

Hodson said the FEI had nominated the Blenheim horse trials as the qualifying competition, and Japan and the present Olympic champions, Australia, are expected to compete.

The Australians, fourth at the world championships, have already booked a berth at Athens.

"My understanding is we have to beat the Japanese, and if we do, we're qualified," Hodson said.

New Zealand's predicament is understood to have FEI officials worried.

With the viability of eventing as an Olympic sport often questioned, international equestrian leaders are anxious to have New Zealand, the 1990 and 1998 team world champions, at Athens to strengthen the contest.

Under a revised structure for Athens, nations can enter a team of four horses and riders for the team competition, and one other individual pairing.

New Zealand's England-based riders, including former Olympic and world champion Blyth Tait and Andrew Nicholson, are expected to ride at Blenheim, and the New Zealand Equestrian Federation will fly two horses and riders from here for the contest.

A team of four will be named on the eve of the trials. Three of the four pairings must finish to secure a score.

Hodson said he preferred not to think of the risks of a fall or a lame horse sinking qualification hopes.

Adding to the uncertainty, is the need for New Zealand riders to also ensure horses are individually qualified for Athens.

While some of New Zealand's top horses have met the required standard, 1996 gold medallist and 1998 world champion horse Ready Teddy may not have.



Although the horse won the 2001 Burghley trials, that may fall outside the qualifying period. Tait withdrew Ready Teddy from the world championships after a fall.

The pair will compete at next month's Badminton horse trials.

Hodson said a list for the New Zealand team to ride at the Blenheim three-day event will be announced after Badminton, and the national three-day event in Taupo in May.